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Tower of London Tours

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From medieval torture to grim executions and infamous royal prisoners, the Tower of London has long found itself at the center of the city's dark history. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, the historic castle has served as a Royal Menagerie, Her Majesty's prison, an execution site, a royal observatory, a Royal Mint, and a military storehouse over the course of its existence.

The Basics

Today, the tower famously displays the Crown Jewels (which include the Imperial State Crown) and holds centuries of history within its walls, drawing travelers from near and far. It remains guarded by members of the Royal Bodyguards, known as Beefeaters. Visitors can admire the Royal Armouries in the White Tower, walk along the battlements, and see where Anne Boleyn was executed by order of Henry VIII. The popular Torture at the Tower exhibit, the Coins and Kings exhibit at the Royal Mint, the Fusilier Museum, and the Line of Kings all shed light on the tower's history.

Things to Know Before You Go

This is an incredibly popular London attraction, so it's recommended that you buy your ticket or book your tour in advance.

Choose an early-access tour to beat the crowds, or combine your trip with visits to other top London sites.

Special events, medieval reenactments, and family activities are held at the tower throughout the year.

How to Get to the Tower of London

The tower is located at the north end of the Tower Bridge on London's Thames River waterfront. The closest tube station is Tower Hill via the Circle and District lines.

When to Get There

The tower is open March to October from 9am to 5:30pm (Sunday and Monday from 10am) and November to February from 9am to 4:30pm (Sunday and Monday from 10am). Due to its popularity, queues can get long, especially in the afternoon—visiting first thing in the morning is your best bet to avoid crowds.

Unlocking the Tower's Secrets

The tower's wildly entertaining Beefeaters, or Yeoman Warders, share stories and secrets on the widely recommended Beefeater tour. Learn fun facts such as how six ravens are kept at the Tower of London at all times, and how legend has it that if they ever leave, the tower will fall. There's even a "raven master" tasked with looking after them and a seventh raven on hand just in case. Tours begin every 30 minutes.

This is exclusive and one of the most popular VIP experiences in the whole of London. Explore before anyone sets foot in the door.
On this special morning tour, the Duty Exhibitor and our expert warders will welcome you to the treasury and guide you through the Crown Jewels exhibition before it opens to the general public.
Once your private tour has finished, you and your party are welcome to stay and enjoy the myriad other exhibitions throughout the rest of the Tower.

This is exclusive and one of the most popular VIP experiences in the whole of London. Explore before anyone sets foot in the door.
On this special morning tour, the Duty Exhibitor and our expert warders will welcome you to the treasury and guide you through the Crown Jewels exhibition before it opens to the general public.
Once your private tour has finished, you and your party are welcome to stay and enjoy the myriad other exhibitions throughout the rest of the Tower.

Bypass the long lines at the Tower of London and make the most of your tour through this dark and infamous complex. View the remarkable Crown Jewels and visit the White Tower, Traitors’ Gate and Tower Green, where Anne Boleyn met her grisly end. Choose to explore on your own or follow a ‘Beefeater’ guard on a guided walk. An audio tour is also available for an additional fee.

Discover London’s royal history and sights on a London tour by foot and boat. Start with an early access visit to the Tower of London to see the opening ceremony and Crown Jewels without the usual daytime crowds. Then, take to the water on a half-hour River Thames sightseeing cruise. Stroll to Horse Guard’s Parade or Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony, and learn all about the British Royal Family from a knowledgeable local guide.

Get to know London in one day on this sight-packed, full-day tour with a guide. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, see top London attractions such as Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and enjoy fast-track entry and a guided tour of St. Paul's Cathedral. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and then visit the Tower of London. Break for a pub lunch, and receive a ticket for a Thames River sightseeing cruise to use after your tour or another day. For a bird's-eye view of the city, upgrade to include a ticket for the London Eye in the evening.

See the English capital’s top landmarks on this most comprehensive of London magical tours. Take a tour of beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral, then make a photo stop at Westminster Abbey. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and visit the Tower of London, where you'll have free time for lunch (own expense). Enjoy an extended river sightseeing cruise, and upgrade to cap everything with a London Eye flight or cream tea at Harrods.

Have exclusive access to one of London’s most popular and in-demand landmarks, and bypass the crowds, on this VIP tour of the Tower of London. Begin the tour with early, skip-the-line access, and see the tower’s storied opening ceremony. With just a small group for company, you’ll explore the landmark’s highlights. You’ll also be among the first visitors to enter the Tower of London’s world-famous Jewel House, where the glittering Crown Jewels await.

Experience the remarkable architecture and age-old traditions of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge on a 3-hour walking tour of historic London. Arrive early to view the official opening ceremony of the Tower of London Beefeaters, take a peek at the Crown Jewels before the crowds arrive, then tour the legendary White Tower and hear the tales of torture and execution that the Tower is notorious for. Finally, head to the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where you can learn about the 120-year-old bridge and enjoy panoramic views over London.

Go beyond a regular visit to the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral with this experience that gives you exclusive access to both attractions while in London. First, head to the Tower of London before most other tour groups, and watch the historic opening ceremony with a beefeater guide. Afterward, gain special entry behind the normally locked doors of the Triforium at St. Paul’s Cathedral before exploring other areas.

The medieval Tower of London is widely considered among London’s top attractions, but exploring independently means missing the hidden secrets behind the priceless treasures it holds. On this tour, beat the queues with skip-the-line entry and explore the tower as your guide brings its history to life. Along the way, meet the ravens guarding the tower, and discover must-see sites including the Jewel House and the White Tower.

Discover London’s top sights for one low price with the London Pass®. Choose from a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, or 10-day sightseeing credits package, and enjoy access to your London Pass straight from your mobile. Simply show it at the gate or ticket office to gain entrance to more than 80 attractions including Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and the "View from the Shard." You also benefit from skip-the-line access at some of the city's top attractions like the London Zoo. Your pass also includes a hop-on hop-off bus tour, a Thames River cruise, a free guidebook packed with useful information, and valuable shopping and dining discounts.
Please note: Enjoy the extra flexibility in case your travel plans need to change: All passes are valid for two years from purchase date and only become activated with your first attraction visit. After activation your pass will be valid for 30 days and/or the remaining number of attraction choices purchased.

Hop aboard a vintage double-decker Routemaster bus and travel in style across London. Uncover the city’s royal secrets and history with a guided tour from a White Tower Warden at Tower of London with time to explore at your leisure and see the Crown Jewels. After passing St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Shakespeare’s Globe, stop for a bite to eat at Borough Market. Then head to Westminster Abbey, where William and Kate were married. Receive a guided tour of the Abbey before you're treated to a scrumptious afternoon tea with all the trimmings at the Abbey’s Cellarium Café.

Discover the grandeur of London aboard the open-top, double-decker Big Bus on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. With your 1-, 2-, or 3-day ticket, design a personal itinerary with dozens of possible stops, including Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral and more. Enjoy unobstructed views and onboard commentary as you view the city’s highlights. Hop off to enjoy a free walking tour and a Thames River cruise.

Limited time in London doesn’t have to mean a limited view of the capital. Soak up the key sights in just one action-packed day on this guided small-group tour. Explore Westminster Abbey and watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. Then cruise the Thames River to Tower Bridge and explore its inner workings before delving into British history at the Tower of London.

Enjoy two classic London experiences with this combined Thames River cruise and Tower of London ticket, all for one great-value price. With your admission ticket, head inside the infamous Tower of London and explore the grounds, towers and Crown Jewels exhibition independently as you uncover the palace-fortress’ blood-soaked, 900-year history. On the same day, take a leisurely sightseeing cruise on the historical Thames. Settle on a comfortable cruise boat and soak up panoramic views of famous sights such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the London Eye from the water.

Discover two of London’s most famous sights on this private walking tour. With an expert guide who specializes in art history, you’ll visit the Tower of London, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval fortresses in the heart of the City of London, and Tower Bridge.

Go behind-the-scenes at one of London’s most iconic historic landmarks on this 2-3 hour private tour of the Tower of London (entry not included). Prepare to be shocked by the Tower’s grim and gruesome history as you tour the torture chambers and dungeons, then walk the walls of the White Tower built by William the Conqueror and view the dazzling Crown Jewels.

See the best of London without the stress of rigid tour times and massive crowds on this hop-on hop-off bus tour. With your flexible pass, hop aboard the double-decker, open-top bus for a comfortable sightseeing excursion. Great for kids and adults, your pass offers multiple route options with stops at main attractions like Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and more. Bonus features include a free city walking tour, a Thames River cruise, and local discounts.

Pre-book your tickets and enjoy a private, guided tour of the Tower of London, specially designed for families with children. Listen to fun and informative kid-friendly commentary, with entertaining legends and stories from over the centuries. Highlights include a visit to the Crown Jewels, a peek at the iconic, red-uniformed Beefeaters, and a stop at the Beasts of the Royal Menagerie.

The Tower of London is steeped in rich history dating back more than 850 years. Explore the castle with a beefeater (also known as a Yoeman Warder) who knows the castle and its history better than normal tour guides do. Morning start times for this Tower of London tour allow you to enter the tower among some of the day’s very first visitors, and your private group audience with the beefeater allows you to get your questions answered.

See London’s most spectacular sights on a bus tour of England’s cultural capital. Listen to commentary from a guide as you explore the city by coach and foot. See the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, learn the history behind of the Tower of London, and admire the colossal skyscrapers of the City of London. Even better, the experience includes a ticket for a one-way River Thames sightseeing cruise to be used on the day or another time.

Explore three of London’s iconic royal palaces with this money-saving Royal Palaces Pass. Your pass gives you one-time access to the mystery-laden Tower of London, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace. Roam the sites independently to discover their halls, chambers and other attractions at your own pace. Buying the pass in advance lets you skip the main lines at each site and, because it's valid for a full two years, you can spread out your visits as you wish.

The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey are two of London’s most impressive must-see attractions, but the entry queues can be long. On this tour, save valuable sightseeing time with skip-the-line entry and head straight inside with your guide. Learn the history of Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square on a walking visit, and stop at Buckingham Palace, Nelson’s Column, and more.

See the royal sights of London and save money at the same time on this day-long Super Saver tour—a combination of two popular sightseeing experiences. Start with early access to the Tower of London, and then take a cruise along the Thames River to central London to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony. In the morning, enjoy a royal-themed walking tour that takes in sights of Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.

Delve deeper into the dark history of east London during a walking tour that focuses on the grisly murders of Jack the Ripper, one of England’s most infamous serial killers. Exploring on foot means that you’ll get a more intimate glimpse into the area, while wandering at night allows you to avoid crowds and soak up a spooky ambience.

See London’s signature sights by vintage Routemaster bus and Thames River cruise on this sightseeing tour. Board a retro, red double-decker bus London Routemaster, and enjoy stellar views of top London attractions including the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey. Then, after a short Thames sightseeing cruise, ride your London double-decker to Buckingham Palace for a photo stop or to witness the colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony. If you wish, upgrade to add a visit to the London Eye, Tower of London, or UNESCO-listed Stonehenge after your tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:

What are Tower of London hours of operation?

A:

Tower of London hours of operation: March–Oct Tues–Sat 9am–5:30pm; Sun–Mon 10am–5:30pm; Nov–Feb Tues–Sat 9am–4:30pm, Sun–Mon 10am–4:30pm. Buy tickets in advance on Viator. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.